Charles you are absolutely right about Japanese culture! I have worked for a few Japanese companies in Tokyo and let me tell you it was no democracy.

Rank and title are supposed to represent authority and experience. If not then why have them in the military, sports, education and business? I should point out that experience should be based on quality not quantity. If a person has been doing 20 years of aikido and is technically as good as white belt should they be the head instructor?

Jesse, you may change your mind once you start running your own dojo. I am sure the reason Peter allows multiple instructors in his dojo is because he trusts them and approves of what they teach. If he didn't he has the authority to tell them to change or go somewhere else.